We are in the midst of appropriations season, and there's no better time to advocate for music education! In the coming months, members of Congress will convene to discuss fiscal priorities for the upcoming year, which include the Department of Education's budget.  During this time, advocates can have a substantial impact, by reaching out to their members of Congress and showing support for programs and legislation impacting music education. The most compelling arguments you can provide to legislators are based on personal experiences within their state. We suggest you include a personal anecdote about how you or your students have benefited from one of these programs. This campaign provides information on federal programs impacting music education, and a sample letter for potential advocates to send their members of Congress in support of federal programs impacting music education.

The National Association for Music Education, in conjunction with several music and arts education partner-organizations, conducted an informal national survey collecting information on the use of federal funds to support K-12 music and arts programs. Information collected in the federal funds survey led to the development of the following policy recommendations:

Programs

• Title I, Part A—Provides funds, through both school-wide and targeted assistance programs, to school districts to help disadvantaged children achieve proficiency on challenging academic standards and improve the performance of low-achieving schools.
  • Increase funding for Title I, Part A to $20.5 billion in FY2024.
  • Direct the U.S. Department of Education to issue guidance to states and districts on the use of Title I funds to support music and the arts.
• Title II, Part A—Focuses on improving student academic achievement by bolstering skills and expertise of teachers, principals, and other educators and increasing the number of high-quality teachers and principals in schools.
  •  Increase funding for Title II, Part A to $2.4 billion in FY 2024.
  • Direct the U.S. Department of Education to issue guidance to states and districts on the use of Title II funds to support music and the arts.
• Title IV, Part A—A flexible block grant program which supports activities in three broad areas: (1) providing students with a well-rounded education (e.g., college and career counseling, STEM, arts and music, civics, advanced placement); (2) supporting safe and healthy students (e.g., comprehensive school mental health,drug and violence prevention, health and physical education); and (3) supporting the effective use of technology.
  • Increase funding for Title IV, Part A to $1.65 billion in FY 2024.

Legislation

• Guarantee Access to Arts and Music Education Act- The GAAME Act seeks to amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to further specify the eligibility of Title I funds to be used for music and the arts.

For the full list and description of the programs and legislation NAfME supports, please visit our FY24 Roundtable Legislative Agenda.